We enjoyed a blessed day of worship yesterday!
I am both excited and grateful that we already exceeded our goal for the first Sunday in August. We are working together to reach 600 people in Sunday School for the month of August. To do that we will need to have 120 in Bible Study each Sunday in August. Well, we had 122 in attendance yesterday! Praise the Lord!
I know we had guests with us yesterday. I know many of you have already been inviting friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors to come, as your guest, for one of our "Awesome August" services.
This week I hope every one will work to make four contacts. We can each call, text, mail a note card, make a visit, post an update to social media and invite four people to come and join us for "Awesome August." If we all do that there will literally be hundreds of invitations given this week. I believe we will see the results of those invitations in the coming weeks.
Yesterday morning we focused on Acts 20:17-38. Here Paul was meeting with the Ephesian elders to say "goodbye." Verses 36-38 are filled with emotion. Why did Paul make such an impact on the elders from Ephesus? How can we impact those we are around on a regular basis? There are at least 6 qualities in this passage that we can learn from and seek to exhibit in our lives if we want to impact the lives of others.
1. Closeness (vs. 18)
Paul was close to the people he served in Ephesus from day one. You cannot impact lives from a distance. If we want to make a difference in our homes, at our jobs, and among our friends we must get close to people. We will be close to those we really care about.
2. Character (vs. 19)
Paul served the Lord "with all humility of mind" and we should do the same. Knowing we serve the Lord should produce in us a humility of mind and of action. We are able to serve because the Lord has given to us the ministry that we have and that reality should breed humility in us. Also knowing that the church was purchased with the blood of Jesus enables us to serve with humility. Humility describes the character of all who serve the Lord effectively.
3. Compassion (vs. 19 & 31)
Compassion makes a difference! Paul was a man of tears and compassion. He wept for those who did not know Christ (Rom. 9:2-3). He shed tears for those who were struggling and immature believers (2 Cor. 2:4). The threat of false teachers brought tears to his eyes (Acts 20:29-31). Our tears and compassion can make a difference in the lives of others (Jude 1:22).
4. Conflicts (vs. 19)
None of us enjoy conflict but it is often conflict that teaches us the best lessons and often bonds our hearts together with those we serve alongside. In ministry there are internal conflicts and external conflicts. May we never be the source of these conflicts through our pride or selfish ambition. May we grow through the conflicts and be better equipped to love and serve others.
5. Commission (vs. 20-21)
The Apostle Paul had a purpose and passion in ministry and that is no doubt a reason people rallied around him. His passion was to fully share with them the Word of God. He "kept back nothing that was profitable to" them. Could our friends say the same thing about us? Do they know it is our passion to share with them the Life Changing Word of God? The great commission is our mission!
6. Commitment (vs. 22 and 24)
Paul was committed to "the ministry he had received of the Lord." If we desire to make a difference in the lives of others we must be committed to Christ, His Cause and the Church.
I pray we will each think through these qualities and seek to practice them this week for the Glory of God and the good of others.
I am Committed to making a Difference,
Pastor Mike
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